Apparatus for sealing containers



Aug. 8, 1944.

H. E. STOVER APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Original Filed Aug. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY W W F S w Y O E .T N 5 R E m y T W A G Original Filed Aug. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Harry E. Sfover BY M NW4 TTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1944. H. E. STOVER 2,355,478

APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS OriginaI Filed Aug. 2, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 3 j yam ATTO RN EYS ing mechanism until it is ing them to containers such Patented Aug. 8, 1944 APPARATUS FQB SEALING CONTAINERS Harry E. Stover, Long Island City, N. Y., assignor .to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Original a lication August 2, 1940, Serial No. 849,655. l ivlded and this application June 12, 1941, Sex-hi No. 397,761,

2 Claims. (Cl. 226-881) My invention relates to cap-feeding apparatus. It has'to do, more particularly, with apparatus for feeding caps from a source of supply and applying themto containers, such as food containers and including jars, bottles, cans, et

cetera, preparatory to sealing them on said containers.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and effective apparatus for feeding caps from a source of supply into position to be engaged by the upper ends of containers to be sealed thereby which are moved along by a conveyer.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus which will automatically release caps from a cap magazine and feed them into position to be engaged by the top of the containers without any manual intervention by the operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding and applying unit of such a nature that the cap can be withdrawn therefrom by a container on a moving conveyer without danger of upsetting the container.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding apparatus of such a nature that the capwhich is fed into position to be engaged by a container will not drop from the cap-feedpositively withdrawn by the passing container.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding unit having a magazine for a vertically disposed stack of caps and which is of such a nature that the lowermost cap will be separated from the stack while the stack is supported in position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding apparatus including a magazine and cap-feeding unit which can be removed and replaced readily when diiferent size caps are to be used. Y

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding apparatus which is provided with fluid-actuated control and operating mechanism that is positive and efllcient.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding unit of the type indicated which is readily adjustable for use with containers of varying heights.

In its preferred form, my invention contemplates the provision of a simple apparatus for feeding caps from a source of supply and applyas Jars, bottles, cans, et caters. The apparatus is preferably employed with a continuously moving conveyer upon which the filled containers are placed indiscriminately. Means is preferably provided in association with the conveyer for centering and maintaining containers centered on said conveyer. The containers are first moved by the conveyer to my cap-feeding and applying unit where caps or other closures are looselypositioned' on the upper ends of the containers. The

' used in conjunction with any suitable sealing unit.

My cap-feeding and applying unit consists of a magazine for receiving a stack of nested caps. Suitable wedge bars are disposed at the bottom of the magazine for supporting the lowermost cap. When these wedgevbars are reciprocated,

they separate the lowermost cap from the remainder of the stack of caps and allow it to fall downwardly while still supporting the stack of caps. A support is provided below the magszine for receiving the separated caps and sup porting them in position to be engaged and withdrawn by a container moved beneath the capfeedingand applying unit. For controlling the movement of thewedge bars. I provide a steam controlled cylinder and piston unit. This cylinder and piston unit is actuated by a control trigger adapted to be engaged by a container moved beneath the cap-feeding and'applying unit. The steam control and operating mechanism is very simple, positive and 'eilicient.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing description.

This application is a division of my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 349,655 filed August 2, 1940,Patent No. 2,321,779.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a sealing machine having my cap-feeding apparatus associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a plan. view of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view showing the cap feeding and applying unit.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the separating wedges of the cap-feeding unit, showing them in associationwith each other.

Figure'sa is a perspective view of one of the wedges.

Figure is a transverse vertical sectional view of one of the wedges showing how it normally supports a cap.

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 6--6 of Figure 2.

Figure '7 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 1-1 of Figure 2.

With reference to the drawings, I have illustrated a machine which comprises generally a conveyer unit I, a cap feeding and applying unit 2 and a sealing head unit 3.

The conveyer unit i may be of any suitable type. For example, it may be of the type disclosed in the co-pending application of William D. Bell on Apparatus for sealing containers,.Se rial No. 314,299, filed January 17, 1940. However, it is to be understood that my apparatus may be associated with any suitable type of conveyer unit. The conveyer unit preferably embodies means for continuously moving the containers into proper association with the units 2 and 3, including means for centering the containers relative to said units.

My invention is not limited to use with any particular type of container and cooperating cap but for illustrative purposes I have shown in Figure 6 a container 4 adapted to receive the cap 5 on its upper end. This cap preferably embodies a substantially disk-like portion 6 (Figure 5) which has a depending annular skirt 1 which carries an annular gasket 8 therewithin. When 'the cap is forced downwardly onto the upper end of the container, the frictional contact of the gasket with the upper end of the container will aid in maintaining the cap in position and will seal the cap on the container.

The containers 4 are placed indiscriminately on the conveyer and are moved in the direction of the arrows (Figures 1 and 2) by the conveyer. The containers are centered thereon in the manner described in said co-pending application Serial No. 314,299. They are first carried to the cap feeding and applying unit 2. This unit is of such a type that it will apply a cap loosely to the upper end of the container. After the container passes the unit 2, it passes to the sealing head unit 3. This sealing head unit 3 is adapted to displace the air from the head space and to sterilize such space and the cap before the sealing operation.

The units 2 and 3 are disposed directly adjay cent each other. They are both supported by a horizontally disposed plate 9. The plate 9 is supported at a point spaced above the conveyer unit I by means of four vertically disposed nonrotatable posts Hl two of which are disposed vat the left-hand comers of the plate (Figure 1) and the other two of which are spaced a substantial distance from the right-hand end of the plate. Each of these posts i0 is provided with a base portion II on its lower end which is suitother end of the plate 9 rotatably support a horizontally disposed worm shaft I 1. Each of the worm shafts l6 and I1 carries a pair of worms I3 which engage the adjacent worm gears l3. The worm shaft I1 is provided with an angular end i9 for receiving a crank by means of which it may be rotated. In order to rotate the shaft l6 simultaneously with the shaft I1, the shaft [1 is provided on its opposite end with a sprocket 20 keyed thereon. This sprocket has a chain 2| passing therearound which also passes around a sprocket 22 keyed on the corresponding end of the shaft l6.

Thus, it will be apparent that when the shaft I1 is rotated, the shaft I6 will be rotated simultaneously and to the same extent. Consequently, by rotating shaft I1, all of the worm gears I3 will be caused to rotate. Since these gears are threaded on the posts 10, they will be moved vertically on the posts. Furthermore, since the gears are in engagement with lower surfaces of the plate 9, the plate 9 will be moved vertically in accordance with the vertical movement of the gears. Thus, theplate 9 may be adjusted vertically to position the units 2 and 3 at the proper height above the conveyer unit, depending upon the height of the containers to be sealed. It will be noted that all portions of my apparatus are carried by the plate 9. Consequently, it is in the form of a unitary structure which may be readily associated with any suitable type of conveyer unit. The worm and gear units are preferably secured, as by screw bolts Ila. to a portion of the conveyer unit I. The upper portion of each of these posts is threaded, as indicated at 12. Each of the posts has an internally threaded worm gear l3 mounted on the threaded portion i2 thereof. Each of these worm gears is disposed directly beneath and engages the plate 9. Formed integral with the left-hand end of plate 9 is a pair of lugs i4 (Figure 2') Formed integral with the plate 9 adjacent its opposite end is a pair of bearing portions IS. The pair of bearing portions l5 rotatably support a horizontally disposed worm shaft IS. The pair Of lugs I4 at the ably enclosed in a suitable housing [3a as indicated in Figure 1.

The sealing head unit 3 comprises a vertically disposed cylindrical housing portion 23 which has a base portion that is bolted by means of bolts 24a to the upper surface of the plate 9. The sealing head 26 is vertically reciprocable and embodies a substantially cylindrical portion of non-magnetic metal which is carried on the lower end of a plunger 21 (Figure 7).

The sealing head 26 is provided with a recess 28 in its upper surface which receives the lower end of the plunger 21. The plunger carries an enlarged portion 29 on its lower end which limits its upward movement by contacting with the lower end of housing 23. The plunger 21 is provided with a vertically disposed bore which has an interiorly threaded lower end that receives the threaded upper portion of a bolt 3|. This bolt passesupwardly through a centrally disposed opening 32 in member 26 which is enlarged at its lower end to receive the head 33 of the bolt. Thebolt 3| will maintain the head 26 in position on the lower end of the plunger 21.

In order to normally maintain the plunger 21 in its uppermost position I provide the following structure. A pin 35 is carried by the housing portion 23 and extends transversely thereof and through a vertically disposed slot 36 formed in the plunger 21. A compression spring 31 has its lower end resting on this pin 35 and its upper end engaging with the upper end of the bore 30. Thus, this spring 31 normally tends to force the plunger 21 upwardly until the enlarged portion 29 thereof contacts with the lower end of the housing portion 23.

The sealing head 25 is moved by a cylinder and piston unit disposed in housing 59a and conriected to member 26 by means including link 52 which is pivoted at 53 to member 21. The housing 59a is mounted on the upper surface of the plate 9 directly adjacent the housing 23. It is provided with a flattened lower surface which rests on the upper surface of plate 8. A. bolt 86 is'used'to secure the housing 58a to the housing 23.

The cap-feeding and applying unit 2 is illustrated best in Figures 3, 4, 4a, 5, 6 and'l, inclusive. This unit comprises a plate I33 which is suitably mounted on the plate 9 over a large opening 250 (Figure 2) in the plate 3. This plate I 33 has a portion I34 which extends down into the opening 25a. The plate I33 is held in position on plate 9 by means of pins i I35 extending into openings formed therein so that it may be readily removed. The plate I33 is provided with a centrally disposed opening I36 which is in alignment with the sealing head 26. This opening I36 .15 of the propersize to permit the caps, to be applied to thecontainers, to drop freely therethrough. The plate I33 carries four upstanding posts I31 which are spaced circumferentially around the opening I36. These postsMI3I are adapted to receive a stack of the nested caps.

The plate I33 has a plate I330 bolted by means of bolts I33b to the lower surface thereof. Plate I33a has an opening-corresponding with opening I36.

For controlling the feed of the caps downwardly through the opening I36, I provide the following structure. This structure embodies a .pair of cap separating wedge members I38. These wedge members I38 are disposed tangentially to the opening I36, as indicated best in Figure 3. They are mounted for longitudinal movement in recesses I38a formed in the lower surface of the plate I33. The recesses I38a extend substantially tangential to opening I36 and are in communication therewith at their inner edges. The lower wall of these recesses is formed by plate I33a. The members I38 are connected together at one end by a bar I39. The other ends of members I38, engage a'bar I40. The bar I40 carries a pin I (Figure 6) which is mounted for axial movement in a bearing portion 9a formed on plate 9. A small plate I43 is attached to the lower surface of portion 9a andextends beneath bar I40. This plate carries a pin I44 on its inner end to which one end of a spring I45 is attached. The other end of the spring I45 is connected to a depending pin I4Ia carried on the outer end of pin MI. The spring I45 will tend to pull the bar I40 to the right, holding the bar in contact with the ends of members I38. This will also hold the bar I38 in contact with the outer end of piston rod I46. The piston rod I46 is carried by a piston I 46a disposed in a cylinder I41 carried by the plate 9. The piston M611 is provided with a projection I 46b on its outer end which engages the end of cylinder I to keep the piston spaced therefrom. The piston I46a is normally held in in Figure 6. It will be apparent that when the piston is reciprocated, the members I38will also be reciprocated.

The members I38 are of the shape shown best in Figures 4 and 4a. Each of the members I38 is notched intermediate its ends to provide a recessed fiat vertical surface I51. This surface has a cap-supporting shelf I 55 formed adjacent one end thereof and a cap-separating wedge portion I 58 projecting inwardly past said surface adjacent the opposite end thereof. The portion I55 has a knife edge I56 formed thereon.

The wedge portion I58 is provided with a horizontally disposed upper edge I60 which is spaced above the top surface of portion I55 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a cap. 75

oi plate I33, posts I31, carried is a pair of parallel the position indicated The lower edge I 6| of wedge portion I58 is inclined so that the end I59 of portion I58 is .pointed. The points I56 and I58 are spaced apart. The members I38 are normally in such a position that the lowermost cap will be sup- I :ported by the projecting portions I of the .projected into opening I36 and pass between the lowermostcap and cap next above.

The wedge-shaped portions I58 actually serve to force thelowermost cap downwardly. It is desirable to have this positive action rather than to rely upon gravity, because the caps may tend to stick together. The straight upper edges I60 of the portions I58 will support the cap next! .above and the entire stack during the time portions I55 are in withdrawn position. As'soon as the members I38 are returned to their original positions, the portions I55 will again project into the opening I36 and the lowermost cap will rest thereon, since the wedge portions I58 have been moved from beneath the cap which they were previously supporting and have been withdrawn from opening I36. Thus, it will be apparent that each time the members I38 are moved to the left '(Figure 6) a single cap will drop through the opening I36. 7

It will be apparent that the unit, consisting by such plate, and members I38, mountedfor longitudinal movement in guides in said plate, together with bar I39, can be readily removed and be replaced with a similar unit for different size caps. The removal of this unit is facilitated because piston rod I46 and member I40 are not mechanically connected thereto.

The cap released from the stack will drop downwardly onto' a tongue member I62 which is secured to member I33a. The tongue member I62 extends beneath the opening I36. Itis held in position by means of a pin I62a which extends through an opening in a vertical extension of member I62 and into an opening in member I33a. The pin I62a is split so that it will be held in the opening by friction and is formed in the inner end of a handle I621). The tongue may be readily removed to permit'removal of the unit, carried by plate I33.

Disposed beneath plate I33a and bolted thereto tracks I65 (Figures 3and 7) which extend forwardly towards the sealing head 26. These tracks I65 are spaced apart a proper distance so that they will support the cap 5 released from the stack. Thus, the camp will be supported in an inclined position, as indicated in Figure 7, by'the tracks I65 engaging it at diametrically opposed points and by the tongue member I62'engaging the rear edge thereof.

Although the members I 65 are spaced a distance such that the 'cap will rest thereon, they are spaced sufliciently to permit the upper end of the container to'pass therebetween, it being unentire unit may be removed easilyand quickly and replaced with a flerent unit adapted to contain and feed caps of a different size. When removing the cap feeding unit, the pin Il2a may be removed by withdrawing handle H221 to permit the removal of tongue I" so that the cap feeding unit may be lifted out of position.

When the conveyer movesa container beneath the cap feeding unit 2, theulpper end of the container will engage the skirtof the inclined cap disposed in the position indicated in Figure 7. This will move the cap along the tracks Ill with the container, and onto tracks Illa which extend to a point adjacent the sealing head 2l (Figure 3). The tracks Illa are supported in a manner to be explained later. The cap and container will be moved along until they pass beneath the sealing head 2! where the sealing will take place in the manner described in my, co-pending application.

The tracks Illa are supported in the manner illustrated best in Figure 3. They are bolted, as at Illb, to the ends of the members Ill associated with the sealing mechanism. A bolt I extends transversely of the tracks and connects them together to prevent spreading thereof. As described in my co-pending application, members Illa are adjustable towards or away from each other with members ill. During this adjustment the bolt Illc must be disconnected and after the adjustment, it may be replaced.

In order to supply steam to the cylinder Ill to actuate the cap feeding unit, I provide means which is actuated by movement of the container into a position below the cap feeding and applying unit. As illustrated best in Figures 3, 6 and 7, this means comprises a small roller III which is held in a fixed position on the lower, side of plate Illa. This member Ill is located directly below the opening Ill substantially in alignment with the piston rod -Ill, as illustrated best in Figure 3. At a diametrically opposed point a washer member Ill is disposed on the plate Illa. A small pin Ill prevents complete removal of the washer but it is free to move to a considerable extent. A plunger. Ill normally engages the washer Ill and holds it in its outermost position.

The plunger Ill, as shown best in Figure 6, is disposed for reciprocation in a bore Ill formed in a valve housing III mounted on the cylinder Ill. The plunger is provided with a reduced portlon with which the inner end of a set screw I82 cooperates to permit limited movement of the plunger but to prevent complete withdrawal thereof. The plunger is normally held in its outermost position by means of a spring Ill. The bore Ill communicates with a passageway Ill which leads into the left hand end of cylinder Ill. This end of the cylinder is provided with an exhaust outlet III. A second passageway I98 communicates with the bore Ill. The end m of this passageway is normally uncovered by the plunger Ill. This passageway Ill communicates with a chamher I in' which a piston valve 200 is disposed for reciprocation. This piston valve 200 is reduced to form an annular chamber 2IlI. The annular chamber MI is in communication with the passageway Ill by means of a small bore 202 formed in piston valve 200. The chamber MI is also always in communication with a steam inlet 2" which is connected to a steam conduit 2. The opening Illa, at the right hand end 0! the cylinder Ill communicates with the bore I89 through the medium of an opening 205 in member Ill. The valve 200 is normally held in the outlet Ill.

assans position indicated in Figure 8 by means of a spring 206, the force of which is adjustable by means of a screw 2". The opening is normally uncovered by the piston valve 200 and is in communication with an exhaust opening 2".

With the parts in the position illustrated in Figure 6, steam will ilow from the line 2 through annular chamber "I, through the bore 202, passage Ill, passagelll and through the exhaust The passageway 202 is small so that a small amount of steam only will normally escape and this will serve to keep the steam alive. As soon as a container is brought by the conveyer beneath the cap feeding and applying unit 2, the upper end of it will engage the roller Ill and the washer Ill. This will happen substantially at the same instant that the forward edge of the container engages the inclined cap and tends towithdraw it from its inclined position on the tongue I62. Engagement of the upper end of the container with the washer Ill will force it outwardly, it being understood that the inner edge of the washer and the inner edge of the roller Ill are normally spaced apart a distance slightly upper end Ill of the passageway m. This will tion that the exhaust opening 208 will be covered while the chamber "I will be in communication with the opening 203. This will permit steam to flow into the right hand end of cylinder Ill and will force the piston Illa to the left, actuating the cap feed to drop another cap into the' position indicated in Figure 7, it being understood that the cap previously in this position has been withdrawn and moved along by the container which engaged the washer Ill. There will be a delayed action of the piston valve 200 until pressure in passage Ill builds up which will prevent interference of the cap dropped with the cap previously in such position. After the container moves beyond the washer Ill, the plunger Ill will be returned to its original position by spring Ill. This will expose the end Ill of the passageway Ill, and will permit the steam to escape from passage Ill through passage Ill. The reduction in pressure in the passage'ill will permit the piston valve 200 to be returned by the spring 2" to its original position. Then steam can escape from the right hand end'of cylinder Ill, through opening Illa and 205, through bore Ill and through the exhaust opening 2". This will permit the spring Ill to returnthe piston Illa to the position indicated in Figure 6. Thus, each time a container moves beneath the cap feeding unit and withdraws and moves along the cap supported by the tongue I52 and tracks I", it will actuate the cap feed to drop another cap into such position.

As illustrated best in Figures 1 and 6, the line 2 for supplying steam to the cylinder Ill extends into a housing 2Il mounted on the plate 8. The line II which supplies steam to the unit 59, for actuating the sealing head, also extends into housing '2). A steam pressure regulating valve 2II of a. suitable type is also provided. A steam pressure gage 2" is also provided and will indicate the pressure of the steam flowing to the unit 58 and the cylinder Ill.

From the preceding description, the operation 2, it will withdraw a cap from said unit in the manner previously described. The container with a cap loosely thereon will then be moved beneath the sealing head 26 where sealing will take place as described in my copending application.

It will be apparent from the above description that I have provided a cap-feeding and applyingunit having many advantages. The unit will serve to feed caps from a source of supply into position to be en aged by the upper end of containers to be sealed thereby and which are moved along by a conveyer. The cap-feeding operation is entirely automatic. The caps can be withdrawn from the unit by a container on a moving conveyer without danger of upsetting the container.

However, the cap must be positively withdrawn by the container. The cap-feeding unit can be replaced readily with units for diflerent sized caps and it may be adjusted vertically for diiferent sized containers. The steam operated control mechanism of the cap-feeding unit is very positive and eflicient.

Various other advantages will be apparent from the preceding description, the drawings and the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with a movable conveyer for supporting a plurality of containers and a unit adapted to be operated when a container is moved into association therewith, a control system for operating said unit, said control system including a fluid-actuated power unit, a main control valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said power unit, a pilot valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said control valve, and means for moving said pilot valve to actuate said main valve, said means comprising a trigger movably mounted, and a stop member spaced therefrom, said trigger and said stop member being associated with the conveyer so that the containers will successively pass therebetween and normally being spaced apart a distance less than the transverse dimension of the containers.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein the pilot valve is held in normal position by a spring, and wherein the trigger comprises a horizontally disposed washer engaging said pilot valve and being mounted for bodily movement in a horizontal plane and the stop member comprises a roller mounted-for rotation about a fixed axis in a horizontal plane.

HARRY E. STOVER. 

